Hello! I'm here to blog one of my summer journey this 2016 :) Last May, I went out with my colleagues to celebrate Pahiyas Fiesta in Lucban, Quezon Province.

Pahiyas is a Philippine Festivity in San Isidro, Lucban, Quezon City that is held every 15th of May. Pahiyas came from the word Payas which means Good Harvest. During the event, each households have this friendly competition by creatively designing their houses with vegetables and kipings (rice wafer). Learn more about Pahiyas here.

Honestly, it's my very first time to attend a Fiesta. I so badly want to experience one since I'm from Manila and I don't have a province (well my Mom's from Cebu and my Dad's from Laguna but I was born in Manila, tubong Manilenyo talaga XD) So I insist a colleague who's from Quezon and they agreed to accommodate us!! Yay!

We stayed in Tabang (because our colleague is from Tabang), one hour ride away from Lucban proper where the center of the event is. It was City-like, doesn't feel province-ish but people are very hospitable and they live simple :)

We really didn't prepare any itinerary to follow. We just had on-the-day and majority rules decision so exploring Quezon was a bit in a rush and not too much XD

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First stop, explore Tabang, Quezon. There were few places you can check here. One is this very old Church, The St. Michael Archangel Parish. Very beautiful and very huge church. Imagine yourself walking down here, it will be very emotional :) Another is the La Casa which I don't have much picture but it's an old house during the Spanish era :)

Next is instead we try to beat the summer heat by going to Nawawalang Paraiso Resort, we decided to visit Lucban to see if houses are already up for pictures :D

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It was already hell of a traffic as expected for such event. There are no jeeps available instead only tricycles which is more expensive than jeepneys.

It was raining when we arrive :( but we still continue. Sayang kasi kung hindi XD So as you can see above we're wet but still enjoyed the day. The houses are not yet done with their decorations but some can still be enjoyed taking a picture :) Our favorite is this house full of Siling green and Labuyo, so if you're fond of something hot and spicy, this house is for you! XD

There were so many sponsors, Coke and San Miguel Beer had their big bottle design around the area. There were also free taste of so many liquors which we enjoyed ourselves! HAHAHA!

We also visited and stayed this Church in Lucban. It's as pretty and old as the one in Tabang too.

We went home after. We were so wet and going home was as hard as we have here in Manila. Traffic all the way and jeepneys are not enough but good thing we made it safe :)

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So Sunday is our last day and the day of the event. It was freaking hot and the traffic was times two from yesterday :( but of course we have to push through. Though we miss the said parade with lots of artist XDD, we went instead to Kamay ni Hesus, a very well-known place where you climb about a hundred steps and see the tall statue of Jesus Christ.

So after Kamay ni Hesus, off we go and see the houses in Lucban. Unfortunately the traffic on the road isn't moving anymore and a lot are walking and so we did too. IT WAS AN HOUR WALK AND FREAKING HOT! Parang alay-lakad! kaloka XD Really time consuming but we made it.

So pictures around with the houses. Too bad we didn't finish the whole event as we have to go back in Manila because we have work by Monday :( It wasn't enough honestly because we didn't finish the whole event. The event last until 2am, Monday. There are also concerts and the houses are prettier at night because they have different lights design :(



Of course, your journey isn't complete if there is no good food. Well at least we have to try their traditions and all. The family we stayed at cooks very good food. I'd like to say thank you for your hospitality during our stay!

As for the dirty ice cream XD, it's my obligatory duty to taste dirty ice creams from different provinces. Even though they all taste the same XD I just had too XD

The famous Pancit Habhab (last pic)~ too bad I cannot show you how you eat that but the way you eat that is what makes it called "Pancit Habhab" XDDD

Overall, I can say that it's a success although it didn't go according to what we had planned and the traffic that almost killed most of our time :( it was still fun when you're with friends!

Will I come back again? Of course! The next time I'm coming back, Ialready know and I will be prepared :)

Thanks for reading!